Kakamega County Government has launched a project to upgrade infrastructure in the Amalemba and Kambi Somali slums within Kakamega town.
The Sh116 million World Bank-funded Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project (KISIP), will go towards upgrading roads, fixing sewer lines, erecting security lights, and providing access to water.
Governor Fernandes Barasa, who launched the project, thanked the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD), asking KISIP to also work on modalities for ensuring those who live in the project area get title deeds.
“KISIP has assured us that those who own land at Kambi Somali and Amalemba will get title deeds, so that they can be proud owners of the land,” he added.
He welcomed the project, noting that it had delayed to kick-off during two attempts of proposals in 2013 and 2017.
“I urge the contractor to involve residents in the construction work during the project phase,” he added.
Governor Barasa said the project comes at a time when the County is implementing 10-kilometre-per-ward road construction projects that will cost the County government over Sh. 600 million.
The programme also aligns with the county’s shelter improvement programme which involves the construction of 360 low-cost decent houses every Financial Year
“I thank all political leaders with whom we work closely. We can achieve more by empowering our people if we stick together,” he added.
The Governor implored the National government to understand that counties need funds to continue functioning and offering services to residents.
“As counties, we request the National government to release the equitable share of Sh. 450 billion to support counties in implementing development projects. We rejected the proposal from the National Treasury of Sh. 391 billion because it does not represent the increase in revenue collection, increase in inflation, or the cost of living,” he explained.
The Governor challenged Senators to stand up and defend devolution to ensure that enough funds are disbursed to counties to finance development projects.
Speaking at the same event, the County Executive Committee Member-in-Charge of Land, Housing, Urban Areas, and Physical Planning, Dr. Mariam Barasa, urged residents in the project area to support contractors and the County government for the project to be completed on time.
KISIP Regional Representative, Engineer Joash Wende, said Kakamega is one of the 28 counties benefiting from the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project, which seeks to improve the living standards of people who live in slums.
He said the Kakamega County government proposed that Amalemba and Kambi Somali slums benefit from the World Bank funding project.
“The arrangement is always that the County identifies the projects to be done, and they propose them to the funding agency through the National government since the fund is meant for the County government, but through the National government,” he explained.
“These improvements are meant for common Mwananchi who lack the necessary facilities and infrastructure, so it is a good opportunity for all of us to benefit,” he added.
Engineer Wende asked community members to cooperate with the contractors, consultants, and the County government to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
“The project has timelines to complete, it has standards for quality, and it also has standards for safety. We don’t want to hear about issues of the project, causing damages, injuries, or some harm to people or the environment,” he said.
He also noted that the County Project Implementation Coordination Team and the Settlement Executive Committee (SEC) will be on standby to supervise and monitor the progress of the project.
By Moses Wekesa
